Portret van koning Umberto I van Italië before 1885

This is an undated portrait of King Umberto I of Italy, made by an anonymous artist. The work is a study in contrasts achieved through monochrome engraving. The meticulous detail captures the regalia—the medals and cords—contrasting with the relative simplicity of the King's face. Note how the composition is vertically oriented, drawing the eye upwards to meet the King’s gaze, which is both direct and slightly melancholic. The artist’s technical skill is evident in the texture and depth achieved through subtle variations in line and tone. The use of engraving, a medium that demands precision, mirrors the rigid formality associated with royalty. What is communicated here, is the cool and formal representation of power. But, in its meticulous construction, the portrait offers a meditation on the very nature of authority—questioning how such images are designed to convey meaning and influence perception.